biostudies-literaturePope INational Institute for Health Research (NIHR)e011543https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5577896biostudies-literatureUnknown7(8)<h4>Objective</h4>The number of emergency admissions to hospital in England and Wales has risen sharply in recent years and is a matter of concern to clinicians, policy makers and patients alike. However, the factors that influence this decision are poorly understood. We aimed to ascertain how non-clinical factors can affect hospital admission rates.<h4>Method</h4>We conducted semistructured interviews with 21 participants from three acute hospital trusts. Participants included 11 emergency department (ED) doctors, 3 ED nurses, 3 managers and 4 inpatient doctors. A range of seniority was represented among these roles. Interview questions were developed from key themes identified in a theoretical framework developed by the authors to explain admission decision-making. Interviews were recordBMJ openA qualitative study exploring the factors influencing admission to hospital from the emergency department.PMC5577896ACF-2015-21-024Burn HHarris TMcCoy DPope IIsmail SAfalseA qualitative study exploring the factors influencing admission to hospital from the emergency department.<h4>Objective</h4>The number of emergency admissions to hospital in England and Wales has risen sharply in recent years and is a matter of concern to clinicians, policy makers and patients alike. However, the factors that influence this decision are poorly understood. We aimed to ascertain how non-clinical factors can affect hospital admission rates.<h4>Method</h4>We conducted semistructured interviews with 21 participants from three acute hospital trusts. Participants included 11 emergency department (ED) doctors, 3 ED nurses, 3 managers and 4 inpatient doctors. A range of seniority was represented among these roles. Interview questions were developed from key themes identified in a theoretical framework developed by the authors to explain admission decision-making. Interviews were record2017-01-01T00:00:00Z2017 Aug2025-04-26T11:01:37.236Z2019-03-26T22:45:41ZS-EPMC55778962885176710.1136/bmjopen-2016-011543